SACRE

RVE 14-16 & 16-19

14-16

RVE is mandatory for all learners aged 3-16. RVE provision in years 10 and 11 must be provided to enable learners to develop sufficient religious literacy in order to fulfil the four purposes of the curriculum. Whilst there is no legal requirement to sit a public examination or to follow an external RVE course, pupils should be given the opportunity, as far as is possible to have their learning in RVE accredited. The WJEC GCSE qualification would meet the purposes of the curriculum as well as ensuring that pupils are given opportunities to develop their religious literacy by being provided with objective, critical and pluralistic RVE. If alternative provision is used in years 10 and 11, care must be taken to ensure that the curriculum fulfils the four purposes, the statements of what matters and that it provides RVE that is objective, critical and pluralistic.

16-19

Section 61 of the Act does not prevent a school from imposing a requirement that all learners in its sixth form undertake compulsory RVE classes; nor does it prevent a school that adopts this approach from providing compulsory sixth form RVE that accords with the school’s trust deeds, or the tenets of its religion, or religious denomination (“denominational RVE”). The content of such denominational RVE remains a matter for the school with the curriculum design being in accordance with the school’s trust deeds or tenets of its religion.

Where RVE is provided, the curriculum should be designed to enhance and broaden the educational and learning opportunities for all students. A variety of opportunities would benefit provision at post 16 study, depending on the needs and requirements of the school. An accredited course, such as AS and A level Religious Studies should be offered. Students should be given the opportunity to co construct their own learning which may encompass religion and philosophical convictions/worldview studies, alongside engagement with ethical and philosophical topics. Delivery could be via timetabled lessons, conferences, enrichment activities or projects.